Rethought Ranchette

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Samaha sees the beauty in a malnourished home and gives it new life

The large sofa is a custom design by Francesca Grace and the two armchairs are from Arhaus. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.

“I’m an Egyptian architect and the founder of Samaha, a vertically integrated design studio and development firm,” says  Amr Samaha. “My design philosophy blends modern execution with foundational principles rooted in Egyptian vernacular architecture. I focus on creating spaces that are both functional and inspiring, always considering how design impacts the human experience.”

The dining table is vintage, the Black Z Chair and the Noah Dining Chair are by Neue Maison. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.
The kitchen features a range by Aga with a panel to match the custom cabinet color. The stone is a moody Cipollino Rosso.
Photo by Christopher Amitrano.

When Samaha had the opportunity to revamp a decrepit home in Beverly Hills that was literally full of junk, he applied his architectural approach and salvaged much of the original home while transforming it into modern ranchette. “The goal was to create a sanctuary—transforming a neglected space into something that feels both timeless and modern,” he recalls. “I wanted to preserve the mid-century essence of the home but reinterpret it with materials and design choices that reflect my architectural roots. It was about respecting the original form while enhancing its function and aesthetic for modern living.”

In the powder room the plumbing is by Waterworks fixtures the walls and ceiling is covered in Limewash paint
and the floor and wall tile is by Zia Zellige tile. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.
The office features custom doors with hardware by Bankston, Sans-Arc. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.

He began by focusing on updating the overall flow then honed in on how to create a health-conscious and eco-friendly environment. He achieved this by using only non-toxic paints, opting for brass and copper pipes rather than plastic and installing natural stones and woods versus lacquered pieces. “The biggest challenge was reconfiguring the disjointed layout to improve flow and functionality,” Samaha notes. “I introduced an additional guest room with an en-suite bathroom, rearranged the left wing to accommodate an office and secondary bedroom, and significantly enlarged the primary suite to include spa-like amenities. I also created a new connection between the house and garage, as the garage was only accessible from outside.”

A guest suite features a custom bed design by Francesca Grace. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.
In the primary bathroom, the sconces are from Soho Home and the shower tiles are by Zia Tile. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.
“The skylight in the primary shower is another highlight, designed to introduce natural light in a way that elevates a daily routine into an artful experience,” says Samaha. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.

Rather than completely overhaul the home’s exterior, the team chose to clad in Shou Sugi Ban and layer Copper and Corten steel accents that would add character and patina over time. He worked with interior designer Francesca Grace to enhance the home’s natural appeal by using earth tones and natural materials that would embrace the Australian travertine stone and Italian Cipollino marble. The French white oak floors wrap the home in warmth while handcrafted Zellige tiles and the brass and nickel lighting, hardware and plumbing fixtures add modern charm.

The backyard landscaping is designed around a sweeping tree. Photo by Christopher Amitrano.

When asked how he felt when the project was complete, Samaha remarked, “It felt like a true reflection of my vision—a transformation that turned an uninspired space into a home with soul and purpose. The layering of materials and design choices tells a story much richer than the sum of its parts, which is exactly what I set out to achieve.”